New to SW, doing some research

[mcps95]

I've kept FW aquariums for years, but am looking to slowly make my way into SW. I was thinking of starting with a 30gal fish-only (no live rock) due to space and cost limitations.

I have a couple questions:

1) What additional equipment/maintenance steps/etc. are required for a fish-only SW tank? (Besides the obvious things, like salt )

2) I plan on using a HOB filter (if this is reasonable). Can I use a HOB filter that was previously used in a FW tank? (I plan on replacing the TetraTec 300 w/internal heater on one of my FW tanks soon, and would like to be able to reuse this.) Besides cleaning, is there any issue with this?

3) I'm still up-in-the-air on stocking, but am leaning towards the following:
2 Clownfish
1-2 Bangaii Cardinalfish (if I can find them)
1 Coral Banded Shrimp

Are there any alternate suggestions/recommendations for a tank this size? Does this seem like a reasonable stocking level?

4) Based on this stock (or a suggested one), what type of substrate and/or decor would be recommended? (I'd prefer a "natural look", even if I'm not really doing natural decor.)

5) If I use Bio-Spira to cut down the cycling time, how soon afterwards can I begin to add fish? (With FW filter mentioned above? With a brand-new filter?)

Any info or additional pointers (especially those who have made the jump from FW to SW) would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Mike

 

[woninil]

Well, my SW credentials are that Im around month 4 and havent killed anything yet!!!!

I used a FW setup in my 55 gallon. I used a sponge from a FW Whisper filter in hopes of getting bacteria going although I have no idea if the FW/SW bacteria are compatible

I used 20 lbs of live sand(from the lesser LFS so probably not very live)and then crushed shells(25 lbs) If I could do it again I would have used mostly sand with a tad of the shells for 'the look'. I see the gobies that pump the sand through their gills, etc. I dont think sand prevents you from having anything but too many shells might

I added one chromis. I checked water levels daily and my ammonia spiked REAL quick(again, I suspect 'dead' sand) Anyway, I cycled in 10 days and then added a few hermits and snails-about a week later, a convict goby and firefish

I am FO with cleanup crew and did just add a chocolate chip starfish this weekend

No skimmer.

What I have learned:

I regret the chromis-sorry. little fella, but this is a pretty boring fish compared to whats available and now I can get one less 'pretty' fish.

I am quickly thinking about maybe some live rock or maybe a coral or maybe.....I REALLY didnt think I would go there so perhaps overdoing may have saved money in the end as I will end up replacing lighting, perhaps getting a skimmer-you get the pic

The good LFS told me to feed the starfish because I was doing so well with my setup I obviously wasnt overfeeding-LOL

I do now have a clown, longnose butterfly, and 'dorrie' tang. The good LFS okayed the tang in a 55 but I know thats controversial(most say 70+)

Except for the first two I bought together, I went at least a week in between, often more.

The hard part now is stopping so Im going with a cleaner shrimp and bumblebee snail instead of fish

 

[OrionGirl]

Your stocking list will be fine for a 30--though I'd only go with one cardianl--they get fairly tall, and a pair would be cramped. Do some research on the coral banded shrimp before purchase. They are not the friendliest critters, and will restrict what other inverts you can have. I prefer the more social shrimp that won't hurt my other animals.

One thing you don't mention but I will: please do not get an anenome for the clowns. They do not need it, and without a stable, mature tank and adequate lighting, you can't support one right now. The clowns will happily host in just about anything (a koosh ball, or a fake anenome, or a cup, or a large shell, or a powerhead--they are not picky) and tank bred/raised clowns seldom know what to do with an anenome anyway.

You can use the filter, but I would run it empty of media--have it for the heater and water flow. Add 40-50 pounds live rock, and then a sand bed (2-3 inches is ample). Looks more natural, and is the best filtration I've found. You'll also want some cleaners--snails, worms, microstars, etc. The worms and stars will come in on good rock, and you can buy a variety of snails--some will clean glass, some will dig in the sand, all are good. I avoid mechanical filtration in SW--it clogs quickly with critters, and can be tough to maintain.

Other equipment: A quality protien skimmer. Not required, but a good investment, helps keep your water quality up there. Consider your lighting, and what you want long term. Many people start out FOWLR then want a reef, and have to upgrade lights multiple times (I'm guilty as charged on this--start FO with fluorescents, upgraded to VHO, now have MH).

Bio-Spira allows you to add your stock immediately--the directions will walk you through dosing and testing. I'm cautious, so I wouldn't add everything at once.


woninil: you'll have to find a new home for the star before adding any corals--they are predatory. Also, the butterfly may be limiting as well, since they tend to 'graze' on corals.